After primary, Cuomo backs de Blasio and Thompson bows out

After keeping himself conspicuously scarce in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City, Gov. Andrew Cuomo endorsed Public Advocate Bill de Blasio after his next-closest rival in last week’s voting contest, Bill Thompson, announced he would fall in line behind him and avoid an October 1 run-off election.

Speaking from the steps of New York City Hall, Thompson, de Blasio and Cuomo emphasized party unity and the need to work together. The winner of the Republican primary is Joe Lhota, who was Cuomo’s appointee to lead the Metropolitan Transportation Authority until he stepped down to launch his campaign.

Cuomo emphasized his long history with de Blasio — the two men worked together at the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration — “many wrinkles and many gray hairs ago” when they faced a Republican-controlled Congress skeptical of HUD’s ability to carry out its mission.

“At the end of the day, the voters acted, and they acted smartly,” the governor said. “We are all New Yorkers, we are all together and we are one. … It is my honor to support him, it is my honor to celebrate the unity.”

De Blasio won just over 40 percent of the vote, according to unofficial tallies that don’t include paper ballots, a hair’s breadth over the threshold needed to avoid a run off election. Former Comptroller Bill Thompson was the next best vote getter, garnering just over 26 percent of the vote. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who placed third with 15.5 percent of the vote, was not present for the event.

A column in this morning’s New York Post suggested the possibility of tension between Cuomo and de Blasio, despite this morning’s smiles. De Blasio promised during his campaign to raise taxes on the wealthy to support expanded pre-kindergarten programs, something that contradicts Cuomo’s movement toward cutting taxes.

Cuomo’s remarks were generalized — and he did not take questions — but lauded de Blasio for running a campaign in “the great, progressive Democratic traditions that made this the greatest city.”

De Blasio heaped praise on both Thompson and Cuomo.

“It will be my honor, if the people choose me, to turn to Bill regularly,” de Blasio said of Bill Thompson. “The governor has had a profound impact on my life. What he has done for this state is nothing short of miraculous.”

Cuomo also took a dig at Eliot Spitzer, who lost a primary to Scott Stringer, for New York City Comptroller. Cuomo did not say Spitzer’s name.